Buzzing Around Brooklyn in the US Bound Smart Fortwo Electric Drive

Since its debut more than a decade ago, the smart fortwo (I refuse to go lowercase, sorry, Smart marketers) has made its reputation the world over as a nimble, hyper-efficient, short range and relatively low-cost city commuter -- in other words, a vehicle readymade for an electric powertrain.

The smart fortwo electric drive, which I recently took for a spin through the wilds of New York's Brooklyn borough, is that car. And it's coming to the U.S. in October of this year.By the time the gas-powered version of Daimler's microcar finally made it to U.S. shores in late 2008 (Smart has sold some 42,000 units to date) the Smart ED program was already well underway. The project is now in phase two of a three-phase rollout, which will see some 1500 vehicles built in all, with 250 of those eventually coming stateside.At this point, it's the type of project we've seen a lot of with EVs lately -- extremely limited volume, leases only ($599 a month, 48-month warranty) and only a handful of regular folks will get one. But according to Smart USA's VP of business development Derek Kaufman, who's also heading up the Smart ED project here, that's going to change rapidly.Kaufman is confident that during phase three, which will culminate in series production of the Smart ED in calendar year 2012 as a 2013 model, production will quickly reach "the five-figure range."; He also said interested customers will be able to both buy and lease Smart EDs at that point and he hopes every one of the 77 Smart USA dealers will have at least one on the lot for sale.From the moment I pegged Smart ED's power pedal and it whirred to life, it became all too apparent that this car was born to be an EV. Powered by a 30kW peak power electric motor (providing 40 hp in short bursts, but 27 hp in most situations) mated to its single fixed gear ration transmission, the ED is fed its juice via a Tesla-sourced lithium-ion battery pack. The battery accounts for most of the 300-pound weight gain over the base Smart's roughly 1650-pound curb weight, but it doesn't compromise interior packaging. Most of the complaints about the gasoline Smart's balky automated manual transmission and much-debated MPG numbers simply melt away.Overall range is pegged at roughly 82 miles, according to Smart. When plugged into a 220-volt outlet, Smart says the Smart ED can charge from 20 to 80 percent capacity in about three-and-a-half hours, and a full charge will take about eight. You can also hook it up to a 110-volt outlet in a pinch, but it'll take quite a bit longer to get it juiced up.Like its gas-powered sibling, the Smart ED is hardly a burner, but under hard acceleration you get a small jolt from its 89 pound-feet of torque. Smart claims a 0-to-60 kmh (37 mph) sprint of 6.5 seconds onto a limited top speed of 62 mph.; It exhibited more than enough zip to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle in a loop around Brooklyn's Prospect Park.; As is the case with the gas car, the Smart's tightly suspended ride doesn't like rough pavement and it has a tendency to hit the bumpy stuff pretty hard. The brake pedal also still has an awkward-feel to it, but you'll probably be braking less as the transmission does a good job of gradually hauling down the car. The interior also standard Smart fare short of the battery and energy regeneration gauges set in the middle of the dash.As with any EV, the 800-watt gorilla in the room is infrastructure, but Smart officials, like other EV hopefuls, believe early adopting areas of the country, utilities and government agencies will all play a part in helping to develop a plan toward a nationwide charging grid.While charging points will no doubt be an issue for years to come, that's not going to stop Smart from pressing ahead with the ED -- a vehicle that has the potential to dramatically change the fortunes and perception of the brand in the U.S. After our brief drive, it's apparent Smart has an EV that can compete -- now it's all down to the execution.

The Smart Fortwo is a great looking car, with even greater sustainability features! This car really shows what an electric vehicle is capable of. Penn State’s Advanced Vehicle Team can definitely look to the design of this car for inspiration as year three of EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge comes to a close. Penn State is one of 16 universities in North America participating in this challenge, which is a three-year collegiate student engineering competition that focuses on vehicle integration of advanced propulsion technologies. With the help of their innovative ideas and dedication in the garage, the team is working hard to develop a vehicle that reduces energy consumption and increases fuel efficiency, all while paying special attention to consumer acceptability. With the Smart Fortwo in action, Penn State’s Advanced Vehicle Team can look to this vehicle for encouragement on their journey to create a more sustainable future.

mark27. Nope. Not even close.Where does the electricity to recharge the ED's batteries come from? Answer: Electricity now comes mostly from coal-fired power plants, a little more than 50% of it. Are electric cars any better for the environment than gasoline powered cars? Answer: It's nearly a tie. As long as coal power contributes the current ~50% of the electricity supply, electric cars are only about 5% better than gasoline cars. Hydro is tapped out, nuclear will take 15 years to add capacity, and wind turbines are killing birds. Solar doesn't mix with electric cars. Why not? Because people need to recharge after they get home from work when the sun is already down or very low in the sky. Plus, interim battery storage of solar power is a costly ecological disaster. So, as demand for electricity rises with more electric cars, the fraction supplied by coal will have to go up and the measly 5% advantage will soon be wiped out. Don't believe it? Look it up yourself.http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/ArticlePrint.aspx?id=481690

This electric car will cost 1/10 of what it costs an ICE car to go the same distance. It has less than 1/10th of the parts of the ICE in its power train. Maintenance costs will be low.We would have to be very rich not to want one.Move over you mechanical die-hards. Mark27 is on the mark re pollution. Sorry Mark27, I could not help myself.

I have owned my smart for 15 months. Cabrio loaded. Goes like mad in WI snow by the way... I have never gotten less than 41mpg and have gotten up to 48, ave 44. They don't have to be dirt cheap btc909 or you would probably complain about that too. Scubasteve obviously hasn't been smart shopping, The only model close to 25k is the Cabrio Brabus. There are many of us that have an efficient gas version and want an electric one. Every one else can go help BP clean up the oil they so desperately need for their gas guzzling American models.

Great News smart!We own 3 smart cars (2 Convertibles and 1 loaded Coupe) and love them. All of the cost well below $20K when we purchased them and all of them get well above 35MPG even though we have added a number of performance mods and drive them like we stole them.We (SMARTMADNESS.com) look forward to the arrival of the new electric smart and hope to have one in our stable soon to customize and accessorize.We assist thousands of owners across North America and the world with the part and accessory needs and can honestly tell everyone that those that own one love it!

Bought my Pure (middle price point) for $19K including extended warranty, taxes, etc. Last tank I got 44+ MPG, doing 60/40 highway/city. It matters HOW you drive, not just WHAT you drive.The problem with electric is NEVER being able to use it for anything but commuting. My smart has already been to Wisconsin and Michigan (from Chicago), which would not be possible with the electric.

The Smart is one of the most fuel efficient cars in the world in diesel form, I meant it's rep worldwide. We don't get that car obviously. And base price according to Smart USA in the U.S. is: 12,045.00. Don't go for the dealer markup and you can a nicely equipped model for around 15K. Of course there are other cars you can get in the U.S. with roughly the same MPG and price that are more substantial vehicles. That's why the ED will likely make or break the Smart in the U.S.

"hyper-efficient and relatively low-cost city commuter "What smart are you talking about? Sorry but all I have seen are 25K + price tags and less than 35 mpg real world fuel economy. There is reason no one buys them.